We are seeking a visionary Chief Executive Officer with exceptional leadership qualities to spearhead our charity, Concrete Garden, though a new and exciting period of growth and transformational change. The ideal candidate will be bold and brave and embody a passion for community empowerment and sustainability, driving forward our community’s ambition and charity mission with dedicated commitment and innovative thinking.

This role presents a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact, leading our community and team towards a brighter future for all those we serve.

Overview of the Position:

The Chief Executive Officer will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of Concrete Garden, working closely with the Board of Trustees to ensure the organisation's long-term success and impact.

And leading on the recruitment for a number of new posts to build capacity in leadership and drive forward community growth and regeneration. This position demands a dynamic individual with a proven track record in fundraising, asset management, financial management, strategic planning, and team leadership.

Start Date: Immediate or must be able to start by 27th May for a one-month handover with the incumbent CEO.

Reporting to: The Board of Trustees

It’s a very exciting time to join the Ramblers. We have been instrumental in helping Britain experience the great outdoors for almost 90 years. But we are looking to the future, not the past.

We know not everyone has the same access to the outdoors, so we’re continue to fight for change. We campaign, protect paths and lead walks so no matter who you are, you can enjoy the benefits of getting out into the fresh air and wide-open spaces.

We need your drive, knowledge, skills, and creativity to help us raise awareness of the Ramblers and what we stand for, helping the charity grow its supporter base and meet our brand goals. Ultimately, you will help open up the joys and wellbeing benefits of walking to many more people.

About us

You might know us for our group walks, thousands of which take place every week across England, Scotland and Wales.

But there’s a lot more to the Ramblers. Since 1935, we’ve been fighting for the public’s right to enjoy Britain’s landscapes. We do it through campaigning for changes in legislation, opening up green routes in cities, maintaining paths and signposts, saving lost paths … and so much more.

Purpose of Role

We are looking for someone to help us shape public policy in Scotland in a way that ensures everyone can enjoy access to the outdoors. We want your help to make sure that those who currently have the least access are enabled to overcome the barriers they face, because they have the most to gain. You will help us engage with formal policy making processes, but also with the broader networks through which public policy is informed and shaped. You will become a key member of the small team that drives our public campaigning in Scotland.

The role

Key Responsibilities:

• Become the leading expert on access to the outdoors in Scotland and use your expertise to help make access more equitable.
• Create Ramblers Scotland policy and engage with formal opportunities to shape public policy.
• Develop and maintain high level professional relationships on behalf of the organisation to influence key stakeholders.
• Help Ramblers position itself in the Scottish public policy space and shape our campaign priorities.
• Develop and support a network of campaign volunteers and build their capacity.

The person

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

• Good knowledge of policy issues relating to walking and the walking environment in Scotland or related policy areas.
• Proven ability to use your knowledge of Scottish political systems and structures to conduct effective advocacy.
• Line management of staff and/or volunteers or leading project teams.
• Ability to develop strong, collaborative relationships with stakeholder

Desirable:

• Ability to travel throughout Scotland and occasionally across Britain, full driver’s license and access to a car
• An active and demonstrable interest in walking and engaging people with the outdoors

The Ramblers promote diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Values and Behaviours

Our values are the core principles that guide us daily in our work and our membership of the Ramblers. We all share the passion that walking is for everyone and by living our shared values we can ensure the Ramblers is an organisation to be proud of. Our values will earn trust for the Ramblers brand which will allow us to open up a world of walking opportunities for even more people.

Inclusive– We make everyone feel welcome and part of the Ramblers community. We make sure we all feel respected and accepted and know our contributions make a difference in achieving our mission.

Inspiring– We strive to inspire people through the way we act and the things we say. We channel our passion and ambition so others are moved to help us achieve our mission.

Empowering– We empower and encourage each other to make a positive contribution to our teams and the Ramblers. We do all we can to make sure everyone has the ability, and feels confident, to take action.

Responsible– We take responsibility for ourselves and those around us seriously, by always acting in a safe and supportive way. We care about the environment and make sure we do what we say we will do.

With support from the Big Lottery Community Fund and the Glasgow City Council, Community Fund the Concrete Garden is excited to have the opportunity to offer an Urban Growing and Community Development Coordinator role.

Position Summary

This role will support our current Growing Well program, based across two well-established community gardens, the Concrete Garden, and the Back Garden. We work with our community to create spaces which enable people to come together to grow food, develop skills and confidence, make friends, cook, and eat together and participate in a wide range of workshops and volunteering opportunities. In doing so, people are able to nourish themselves, their wellbeing and community.

Both gardens support individual and group plot-holders and run a seasonal program of social and therapeutic sessions, where people are supported to grow their own food, and meet and work alongside others on seasonal activities. The Growing Well program also includes wellbeing workshops supporting skills for wellbeing through simple, budget-friendly, self-care practices, as well as seasonal outdoor cookery, social activities, volunteer action days and taster sessions.

The UGCD Coordinator will both lead and co-facilitate a range of seasonal garden activities as well as support the development of community engagement and outreach activities. They will help provide support for new and existing plot-holders and contribute to the maintenance and care of the growing spaces. Where there is capacity to do so, the UGCD Coordinator will also offer support across other seasonal activities and projects as needed.

Start Date: 1st June 2024

End Date: 31st March 2025

This is an exciting opportunity for an individual who is passionate about climate action, good governance and charity management to take a key supporting role in building the community led network and ensuring its success.

This person will be an excellent administrator with a keen eye for detail, supporting the organisation to achieve its aims and objectives through the management of everyday operations.

This will include ensuring compliance with all policy and related expectations of a publicly-funded organisation, managing HR strategies, volunteer agreements and day-to-day finances such as payroll and expenses.

As part of a fast-paced environment and collaborative team, there will be an opportunity for you to grow and develop in your role. You will initially play a key role in the set up and establishment of management processes and systems for the new charity, the development and implementation of the organisations’ fundraising strategy as well as supporting the networks’ activities and events to ensure their success.

Edinburgh Communities Climate Action Network (ECCAN) is a network of over 60 community group members and 100 individual members. ECCAN has recently been approved as a Scottish Charity Incorporated Organisation by OSCR. We aim to engage and empower individuals and community groups in taking meaningful action to address the climate and nature emergency, working towards a just, thriving and resilient Edinburgh.

This is part of a strategic Scotland-wide network of regional Climate Action Hubs, supported by SCCAN - Scottish Communities Climate Action Network.

You will have a background as a PA, team administrator or a voluntary organisation administrator, with experience supporting staff and teams to excel in essential organisational activities.

Additional Requirements: The post holder will be subject to a Disclosure Scotland check.

Location: You will be based in member premises in the heart of the city, working closely with other agencies and colleagues across Edinburgh. Flexible hot desking is possible in various community locations as well as home working.

Responsible to: ECCAN Network Lead.